Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool's talismanic defender Virgil van Dijk has told his teammates to have no regrets as they try to deliver a first league title in 29 years to Merseyside. Jurgen Klopp's men hold a two-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table, but have played a game more so still […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Espanyol have lived in the shadows of city rivals Barcelona for decades but the arrival of China forward Wu Lei raised the club's profile ahead of Saturday's derby at the Camp Nou. Wu was the Chinese Super League's top goal scorer when he moved to the 'Periquitos' (The Budgerigars) in January and […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Lionel Messi has overcome a groin injury while strike partner Luis Suarez has sufficiently recovered from a sprained ankle to play in this weekend's derby against Espanyol, Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said on Friday. Messi and Suarez were included in the squad of 18 ahead of Saturday's La Liga game at the […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino believes the club's state-of-the-art new stadium has been worth waiting for after months of delays. Spurs trained at the 62,000 capacity venue for the first time on Thursday and will play for the first time there on Wednesday against Crystal Palace. "I think it is amazing, everyone was […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russian Premier League table-toppers Zenit St Petersburg are hoping to make it four wins in as many meetings with Orenburg when they take on the promoted club on Sunday. Zenit are five points clear of second-placed CSKA Moscow with reigning champions Lokomotiv Moscow third, just one point further back. Zenit manager Sergei […]

Sydney (AFP) – Australia's all-time top goalscorer Tim Cahill announced his retirement on Friday, bringing an end to one of the country's greatest football careers. The 39-year-old — who scored 50 goals in 108 appearances for the Socceroos and played in four World Cups — said he will not be looking for another contract following […]

London (AFP) – With the Premier League title race set to go down to the wire and the battle for top-four places tighter than ever, AFP Sport takes a closer look at the remaining fixtures for each of the top six: Liverpool After playing a game more than Manchester City, leaders Liverpool have just seven […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City and Liverpool enter the Premier League home straight this weekend as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes his position in the Manchester United dugout for the first time as permanent boss. With the international break over, City have eight games to retain their title but should they slip up, Liverpool arew poised […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City's potential run of 15 games to a historic achievement of winning a quadruple gets off to a gentle start at Championship-bound Fulham on Saturday. City boss Pep Guardiola has been keen to quieten any talk of a clean sweep of silverware with a hugely demanding two months to come should […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid are out of the Champions League and out of the running in La Liga but they might have more to play for than Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in their final 10 games of the season. Atletico's defeat to Athletic Bilbao before the international break means Barca sit 10 points clear […]

Paris (AFP) – Marseille host Angers on Saturday with the Mediterranean side's late season push for Europe energised by the goals and all-round contribution of Italian striker Mario Balotelli. Fourth placed Marseille lost 3-1 at bitter rivals Paris Saint-Germain before the international break, but with five Balotelli goals in eight appearances since his January switch from […]

Milan (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo's absence through injury could give Moise Kean the chance to shine with Juventus after the teenager's stunning breakthrough with Italy during the international break. Ronaldo looks set to miss the champions next three Serie A games, against Empoli on Saturday, Cagliari on April 2, and AC Milan four days later […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has achieved his first target by landing the Manchester United manager's role on a permanent basis but plenty of work remains for the Norwegian to do, starting with Watford's visit to Old Trafford on Saturday. The 46-year-old was a popular choice to become full-time successor to Jose Mourinho after […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich striker Thomas Mueller hopes that superior horsepower will keep his team ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga title race on a tough trip to Freiburg this Saturday. With Bayern and Dortmund separated only by goal difference at the top of the table and set to face each other next […]

Milan (AFP) – Italian international defender Daniele Rugani has extended his contract with Juventus until 2023, the Serie A champions announced on Thursday. Rugani — who joined Juventus in 2013 from Empoli — has played 14 times for the Turin side this season, in back line alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci. The 24-year-old has […]